News in Brief

Private investors to purchase RSNThe pending sale of Resorts Sports Network to a group of four private investors could mean enhanced programming on the national network’s two local channels, RSN 13 and RSNX 16.RSN, which broadcasts in more than 100 resort destinations across the country, announced the sale earlier this month. The purchase price will not be disclosed until the FCC approves the transfer of RSN’s broadcast licenses, hopefully by the end of next month, said RSN vice president of marketing Richard Bilodeau.John Cooney, a Breckenridge resident who leads the investment group, said if the deal goes through, the new owners will aim to improve the quality of the local channels’ production and step up its coverage of community and special events and weather reporting.”The long-term is to appeal to all demographics, whether it be families on vacation or second homeowners and visitors, especially visitors,” Cooney said.That could mean increasing live programming if opportunities present themselves, Cooney said. Currently RSN 13’s only live content is its 2-hour morning show called “Summit Sunrise,” although the channel airs taped local and national segments for the remaining 22 hours a day. RSNX 16 broadcasts taped action sports programming round-the-clock. Cooney said another focus will be on increasing the quality and real-time accuracy of RSN’s weather forecasts.Local RSN station manager Roger Mecca said he’s excited about the potential change in ownership, and appreciates the new owners’ receptive attitudes thus far to new ideas from the local level. (Summit Daily News)Teacher accused of sex assault hires big gunA teacher accused of having sex with a 17-year-old high school football player while they visited Glenwood Springs has hired a high-profile attorney to represent her.Elizabeth High School teacher Darcie Esson has hired the attorney who represented basketball star Kobe Bryant when he was facing his rape accusations in 2003.Esson, 32, was arrested Monday, Dec. 18 in Parker on a felony charge of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. She subsequently posted a $25,000 bond for her release from Douglas County Jail.Esson has retained Pamela Robillard Mackey for legal counsel in her upcoming case. Mackey was one of the attorneys who represented Bryant in the 2003 case. Mackey’s name first appears in Garfield County court documents filed Dec. 22. She is a partner of the Denver law firm Haddon, Morgan, Mueller, Jordan, Mackey & Foreman, P.C. Mackey’s voice-mail said she was out of the office until early next month. Esson could not be reached for comment.In Bryant’s case, defense attorneys attacked the credibility of his accuser and she eventually decided not to testify. Bryant faced accusations when he was in the Vail area for knee surgery. The case against Bryant was eventually dismissed.In Esson’s case, the Elizabeth High School football team stayed in Glenwood Springs over the weekend of Nov. 11 while in the area for a playoff game at Rifle High School. An arrest warrant affidavit says she had nothing to do with the playoff trip but merely wanted “to go along.” According to the affidavit, the student eventually told authorities that he had sexual intercourse with Esson on the floor in her America’s Best Value Inn motel room while a babysitter and her children, ages 4 and 8, slept on beds nearby.Esson was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, but the hearing was continued to Jan. 10. She wanted to travel to visit her parents in Casper, Wyo., over the Christmas holiday, according to a motion for permission to travel out of state.